Forum Discussion
Can I remove Modern Comments and revert back?
Send feedback to Microsoft to let them know what you think about the so-called modern comments; for instructions, see https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/how-do-i-give-feedback-on-microsoft-office-2b102d44-b43f-4dd2-9ff4-23cf144cfb11.
Microsoft's rationale about "posting" is mentioned in the support article at https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/using-modern-comments-in-word-edc6ae71-0a2d-49fe-8faa-986f1e48136a (which you may have seen already).
Finally, you should see an option to temporarily revert to the previous, more user-friendly interface at File > Options > General. Clear the check box next to "Enable modern comments."
At least on the updates rolled out to me as of 11/10/21, there's now an option to "temporarily" revert back. I hunted it down in the FAQ on this page:
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/using-modern-comments-in-word-edc6ae71-0a2d-49fe-8faa-986f1e48136a
Here's the text from it (although the image was more hepful for a visual person like me):
To turn off modern comments on Windows and MacOS, go to File > Options > General, then clear the checkbox next to Enable modern comments. This allows you to temporarily revert the comments experience to the legacy comments model as the new experience continues to improve and evolve. This setting is temporary and will be removed in the future.
It's a shame it's temporary. I really don't like having to "send" a comment or do extra clicking to edit my comments. I'm an editor and the only one on the doc when I edit, and I could really do without the extra work 😕
JPLin Thank you for the helpful information. I wish it were permanent, too. But perhaps the temporary fix will make my end of semester grading and commenting on theses and dissertations less work!